As we study the epistle of James, we find the importance that this apostle attributes to works for one to receive salvation. Paul, on the other hand, places the emphasis on faith as the essential element for salvation. Who is right?
In chapter 2 of his epistle, James starts verse 14 “…What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?”...and after providing a practical application to his teaching, concludes verse 17 “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2: 14-17, NASB). He finalizes this chapter by concluding “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:27, NASB).
Paul’s emphasis on faith is shown in Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB), and in several other letters such as Romans 3:27, Romans 4:1-6, Romans 5:1, and Galatians 2:16-21.
This apparent contradiction is explained by the context of each communication the apostles were directing. James (the half-brother of Jesus, and not “one of the 12”) wrote his epistle to the members of the newly-formed Christian church in Jerusalem. Most of the congregation had been dispersed by Jewish persecution to Christians (including the movements organized by Paul, a pharisee), and were dwelling in other cities and regions, hidden as Jewish, according to their ascendancy. These Christians had already believed and were saved by faith, and now needed to be exhorted to put that faith in practice. They should not compromise the faith they received, especially in those times of persecution and scattering. It was time to show other people that they believed in Christ, through their works.
Paul wrote his letters to groups that were just starting to believe in Christ. His teachings were needed to establish the ground work in the core doctrines of the Christian faith, and above all, to affirm the doctrine of salvation by grace though faith in Christ alone.
If Paul was teaching the new believers in Asia that faith alone saves, James was reminding the believers in Jerusalem that faith that saves is not alone. Good works will always follow the genuine faith in Christ.
James and Paul did not contradict themselves, showing once again that the Word of God is always consistent….